Voting is underway in Indonesia in the world’s biggest one-day election. More than 200 million people in the world’s third-largest democracy are voting in the new presidential election. On Wednesday (February 14), the US news agency AP reported the news.
Holding elections in Indonesia is a major undertaking. The huge country consists of at least 1700 islands. The country has the largest Muslim population in the world with more than 150 languages spoken. There are three time zones. Polling starts at 7 am local time in each zone. Voting has already ended in the country’s easternmost polling station. However, voting is going on in central and eastern regions. Earlier, ballot papers and ballot boxes were taken to polling stations by horse carts, boats and motorcycles. In some more remote areas they are also delivered on foot to polling stations.
Heavy rains and floods in the morning were expected to reduce voter turnout in Jarkata. But the rain did not dampen the enthusiasm of the voters. However, polling was postponed in 10 villages in Java last week due to heavy rains.
In addition to the president and vice president, voters will elect about 20,000 national, provincial and regional legislators. At least 10,000 candidates from 18 political parties are competing for 580 seats in the country’s parliament.
Joko Widodo is stepping down after two five-year terms. This election is therefore a vote to select his successor. He was popular for making Indonesia one of the most successful economies in South Asia. But he is accused of authoritarianism.
Among the three main candidates in the presidential election is the current defense minister of Indonesia, 72-year-old Praboyo Subianto. He is running for the presidency for the third time. His running mate is Jibrang Rakabuming Raka, the 36-year-old son of outgoing President Joko Widodo. It is assumed that he is going to win the election. Also vying are former education minister and former Jakarta governor Anis Baswedan and former Central Java governor Gonjar Pranoyo.
National elections in India have been going on for several weeks. But in Indonesia it happens in one day. That is why it is called one day election. In 2019, at least 819 workers died due to the stress of election work.
It takes several weeks for the official counting of votes to be completed. But the preliminary results are known at the end of the day.
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